‘Massive’ low-flying helicopter to test radiation levels in Baltimore

The US Department of Homeland Security has deployed a helicopter to fly over Baltimore, Maryland to measure radiation levels and to examine how officials can respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

Officials told CBS Baltimore that the large chopper will at times
fly as low as 150 feet off the ground, in an attempt to measure
levels of naturally occurring radiation. In the event of a
biological attack, authorities would then be able to measure
which areas have been worst affected.

“If sometime in the future you have a reason to be looking
for something radiological, it’s very necessary to have the
original background,” said Joseph Krol of the National
Nuclear Security Administration.

The chopper is “massive,” according to CBS, and much
larger than an average news or police helicopter. Yet experts say
that using such a vehicle is necessary to best complete the
tests.

“There’s no faster way to do it. If you’re flying over the
city and you don’t have to stop for traffic, you’ve got a clear
shot,” said helicopter Captain Jeff Long.

A number of other cities throughout the US have undergone similar
examinations yet, perhaps because the NNSA said tests may take
years to complete, residents may be wondering what exactly to
expect.

“Flying that low, people will definitely notice it,”
NNSA aerial mapping manager Johanna Turk told the Baltimore Sun.
“Everything that comes out of the earth has some radiation.
It’s perfectly safe and not harmful, but it is variable depending
on where you are, so the purpose is to measure the
variations.”

This is the latest in a line of precautions that authorities have
taken to best prepare for a chemical attack.

Last year - in the weeks before Independence Day in Washington
DC, located 40 miles from Baltimore – authorities placed chemical
and radiation detectors throughout the US Capitol’s transit
system. Boston, Massachusetts saw similar measure, with local
National Guard units using sophisticated detectors.

Tools for radiation detection are often deployed ahead of large
events as well. For the upcoming Super Bowl XLVIII which is set
to take place in New Jersey, within eyesight of the new World
Trade Center, radiation detectors will play a part in security
precautions.

“Our tactical teams have been training throughout the year
for different scenarios to include active shooter, bomb threats,
and hazards related to chemical biological radiological or
nuclear threats,” said FBI Special Agent Aaron Ford.